96 Artists Magazine December 2019Lasting impression
A sensitive observer of rural life, JacopoBassano
(1510–1592) oftendepictedpeoplewholivedofftheland.Inthisremarkable
painting, the artistplacestheHolyFamilyinanexpansivelandscape
reminiscent oftheagrarianregionofnorthernItalywherehelivedand
worked. The family,surroundedbychickenfarmersandshepherds,flees
King Herod’s soldiers.Josephfollowsa strangeandbeautifulangel,whose
powerful featheredwingsareinformedbyBassano’sclosestudyofthe
natural world. TheVirginperchesatopa stalwartdonkeyandholdsthechild
wrapped in her veil,a symbolofmaternalprotection.Bassano’smasterful
handling of paintanimatesthescene,addinga divineenergytothe
Holy Family’shumblepassagethroughthecountryside.
MAGGIE BELL
Assistant Curator, Norton Simon Museum IMAGE COURTESY OF NORTON SIMON MUSEUMThe Flight Into Egypt
by Jacopo Bassano
ca 1544–45; oil on canvas, 48½x77¼
NORTON SIMON ART FOUNDATION